Tedd Tucker releases second Yukon picture book

Storm Blakley

Arts Correspondent

Wake up, Whitehorse, there’s a new children’s book in town.

Ted Tucker, a local author and illustrator, spoke to the Yukon News His most recent book. Yukon CountOn Jan. 6, It’s a simple counting book, said Tucker, featuring iconic Yukon animals and Yukon landscape. It was published in December.

Why a children’s book?

“I just love [how] kids’ books are all over the place. They’re silly. They’re funny. They have characters that are quite entertaining. Yeah, just like me,” Tucker said.

“I just think there’s so much potential in children’s books, each one is so different, and it’s interesting to see what resonates with kids and what they really respond to. It’s kind of fascinating.”

Like his first book The Yukon Alphabet Book his goal was to have a kid’s book that would be fun for a child to read either alone, or with a family member or friend. He decided to keep the text brief to allow people to ask questions of the child while they read the book together.

“It gives the parent or guardian or uncle the fun chance to kind of make up things and ask questions like, ‘What noise does the moose make?’”

Tucker illustrated the book himself using a mix of digital and analog art. His first book was minimalist in design. Yukon CountTucker expanded on his simple layout and added more detail to his illustrations for the benefit of readers.

“I wanted to create something that was interesting for a child to look at, at a glance, but also [has] enough details in there to keep them engaged,” he said.

Tucker’s first book was published in 2019. The book’s initial sales were positive and Tucker hoped to expand his market reach during 2020. Then the pandemic hit, and the tourists didn’t come.

Still, he’s cheerful, laughing that he only has one box left, so the sales are still happening. He said that the local bookstores carrying his books have been supportive and have greeted him by name, congratulating him for sales, and even congratulating him when he passes by.

“Oh, yeah, they’re so wonderful,” said Tucker.

“I love going to drop off books and the shopkeeper knows who I am and congratulates me on what I’ve done. There’s a great sense of community, a sense of pride. It’s a really good feeling.”

Both his books were self-published, illustrated and written by him. After years of reading through the fine print in other volumes, he found a Canadian printer.

“There was a Canadian printer that kept showing up again and again. So, I started working with them and getting quotes and getting samples, and it worked out really well.”

He is currently at work on a third, story-oriented book, which could be released next year. While he hasn’t written off self-publishing, he’s hoping to work with a Canadian publisher this time.

“It’s always nice to work with people that have more experience in the publishing industry so I’d love to work with other people on the next one,” said Tucker.

Copies Yukon Count can be found at Angellina’s Toy & Children’s Boutique, Mac’s Fireweed Books, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and FawkesTrot Adventures. Tucker hopes to soon expand his reach into Dawson bookstores.

Storm Blakley, a poet and freelance writer based in Whitehorse, is Storm Blakley.

Yukon Count can be found at Angellina’s Toy Children’s Boutique, Mac’s Fireweed Books, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and FawkesTrot Adventures. (Submitted)